DEMAND for financial and other assistance from Limerick’s St Vincent De Paul (SVP) has steadily increased over the past few months, and their regional president expects the current drain on finances to escalate.
Further pressure on services is expected in the lead up to Christmas, and city councillor Maurice Quinlivan, warned this week that many of those on social welfare were still unaware that the Christmas bonus, or a double week’s payment, had ceased.
Joe Dillon, SVP, told the Limerick Post: “There has been an increase of over 40 per cent in calls for help to our Limerick operation, which is above the national average”.
Thankfully, he added, the public continued to respond to their calls for clothing, toys and food.
He said: “Our shop continues to have a steady trade, and some of those referred to us are given dockets to get what they need there”.
People feeling the pressure of poverty have been urged to call them on 061317327, and leave a message with their name and address and a a brief description of their needs.
Joe also revealed that there has been an increase in numbers visiting Limerick drop-in-centre in Hartstonge Street.
“We would normally have 40 to 50 people every day but that figure has now increased to 70, and on one occasion in recent weeks, reached 85”.
He explained that a lot of the people attending the drop-in centre are living in a poor standard of accomodation in the city- centre and who go to the centre for warm meals.
SVP announced that one- in- four of the cries for help that they have received at a national level are from first-timers.
This worrying trend has been reflected in Limerick. Joe explained: “We’ve had calls from tradesmen that went into business and got in over their head and when things collapsed, they had massive debts”.
Mr Dillon appealed for more young people to give of their time to the society. “We need more young able bodied volunteers, although we will obviously continue to require help from people of all ages”.
